[Cardiac pacemaker in the perioperative phase]

The anaesthesiologist is faced with a growing number of patients in need of cardiac pacing with systems of increasing complexity. This includes patients seen for de novo pacemaker implantation, patients with permanent pacemakers in place or patients requiring temporary pacing as an emergency or after cardiac surgery. This review article is intended to provide the anaesthesiologist with the information necessary to evaluate and treat such patients. Emphasis is laid on haemodynamic problems and possible pacemaker failure due to electromagnetic interference.